The Syracuse University Research Excellence (SURE) Dissertation Grant Program provides funding to offset doctoral students’ research expenses related to dissertation completion. The program allocates up to $30,000 to support students’ SURE grants each semester, with individual awards capped at $3,000. There is a fall and spring award cycle occurring each October and March, respectively.
To be considered for a SURE grant, applicants must a) in good academic standing, and b) confirm that the anticipated dissertation-related expenses will be incurred within the next year, and cannot be covered by other funding sources (i.e., would otherwise require the use of personal funds). Previously incurred expenses are not eligible for funding.
Funds awarded through this program are intended to support research-related expenses that are critical to the completion of the dissertation. Examples of eligible expenses include:
- Purchase of equipment or software needed for data collection or analysis;
- Incentives to research participants. Please be aware that students must already have IRB approval for research projects involving human subjects;
- Travel expenses essential to conducting the research (not including conference travel);
- Other costs directly related to the execution of the research project.
Funds may not be used for:
- Personal living expenses;
- Research expenses already incurred before the grant award;
- Local travel expenses;
- Conference travel that is not essential for dissertation completion;
- Widely available, non-specialized computer hardware or software or specialized software currently licensed by the University.
For questions regarding the SURE program, please reach out to the Graduate School at gradschool@syr.edu.